Wednesday, October 24, 2007

#217 French Defense Lecture - Part 1

Being a long-time French Defense practitioner (26 years) & knowing that the illustrated games would be in The Kenilworthian archives or my database, I probably took fewer notes than others who attended FM Steve Stoyko's October 4th lecture but I hope the following synopsis suffices for those who missed it.

Stoyko French Defense Lecture
Part 1 of 4

Exchange & Advance Variations

General Comments

Steve has a slight bias for Black in the Exchange & Advance Variations... has never played them as White!

Although recognized as an opening authority, Steve doesn’t memorize theory. Instead, he comprehends positions by playing over key Grandmaster games – going over them slowly to understand the ideas behind the pawn structures. Thus, his games often follow book for 15-20 moves.

Anytime Black surrenders the center with ...dxe4, White gets a slight advantage because a pawn on the 4th rank (d4) is worth more than one on the 3rd (e6).

Exchange Variation (2.d4 d5 3.exd5 exd5)

If White plays exd5, he’s usually looking for a draw.

The onus is on Black to create winning chances though White can play c2-c4, as Kasparov did once... only once.

We can say that White is better because he has an extra move in the symmetrical position but the person who goes 1st is possibly at a disadvantage because he commits himself.